ForceNet

by William David

  “Yes,” said Adrian hesitantly, and I hung up.

  Once outside I turned to Jason and said. “Since that session with Naismith yesterday I have become convinced that there is something serious going on so I want to take all precautions including assuming that the house is bugged and that my ‘‘‘phone s are bugged. I am sure we will be followed this morning from the house here to the office. How can I lose the tail, got any ideas?”

  “Its not my role to let you go off on your own but I am sure we will be followed. I could take your Range Rover and let them follow me, while you sneak off over the back fence.” Where did you used to go fishing by the way?”

  “Over the back fence, at a small stream about a mile away,” I said laughing. With that we parted company.

  Twenty minutes later I was looking down in to Combe Dell at the stream where Adrian and I had fished when he was a young kid and I was a teenager. I stood behind the trees staring down. There didn't seem to be any one around and then my old MG sports appeare d in the lane below by the stream and pulling to a stop, Adrian got out.

  “Glad to see you have not wrecked it,” I said emerging from the woods.

  “What was that about?” said Adrian.

  “I think our ‘ phone s etc. might be bugged.” I then went on to tell him about the events of the last few days. “So you see, I am guessing, but I am pretty confident that the real agenda of Naismith and his pals is you.”

  “I really have landed you with my problems, haven't I, what do we do now?”

  “I'm not really sure. Are you sti ll staying with the girl friend? ”

  “Yes, but maybe I shouldn't, I may be putting her at risk.”

  “Well I think we need to get away from here. They could be tracking your mobile. Take it apart now and get it offline.”

  We then got in to my car and drove off with Adrian at the wheel.

  A few miles away Jason had just joined the slip road to the motorway when a red Ford roared past him and screeched to a halt across his bows. The driver’s door and front passenger doors opened and out got two serious looking guys. The one from the passenger side was a huge barrel chested individual with arms like a gorillas hanging to his sides.

  “Get out of the car,” yelled the driver, a thin faced balding guy. “Where is Lever?”

  “He's not here, ” said Jason as he got out of the car.

  “I can see that, smartass,” said the driver. “I said where is he?”

  “I don't know. It's true, I don't,” said Jason as the Gorilla advanced towards him. “Keep away from me,” yelled Jason.

  The driver laughed and the Gorilla continued to advance. Suddenly the Gorilla lunged out with a right arm punch. Jason dodged it and the Gorilla lost a bit of balance with Jason moving away. The Gorilla advanced again and lunged, but instead of dodging, Jason ducked, got under the arm and grabbing it pulled down hard against the joint. There was a crack and a scream of pain from the Gorilla who collapsed sideways against the car.

  Jason then advanced on the driver who was reaching inside his jacket, but Jason got there first and a chop across the side of the neck laid him out. Taking the gun that the driver had been reaching for he turned to the Gorilla, “when he wakes up you had better take your mate home. Keep out of my way!” and with that he pushed the Gorilla away from the car, got in and drove on up the motorway ramp.

  CHAPTER 23

  Dawson looked up as Naismith walked in to his office. “What have you got for me?”

  “Not too good,” said Naismith. “Lever might have met up with his younger brother, and he seems to have disappeared.”

  “How can that be?”

  Naismith related the events of an hour earlier.

  “So who was the guy driving Levers car?”

  “It appears that Lever and his mate Bell at Control Networks have engaged a security company to provide protection and this guy was one of them. Fro m what we have learned he is ex- SAS and knows how to handle himself.”

  “Well that's pretty obvious from what he did to your men.”

  “Lever seems to have switched off his ‘‘‘phone as does his brother, so finding them is proving difficult; however they have to surface at some stage.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Now what do we do, I thought? Get so me new SIM cards for a start. “Adrian, there is a mobile ‘phone kiosk just down the road from the office, let’s stop there on the way to the office and pick up some new SIM s.”

  When we got to the office I made for Alec’s office but could not find him. He was apparently out at a meeting and would not be back until lunchtime. Sitting in my office with Adrian we discussed 'what next'.

  “I think we had better update our 'friendly' policemen, and see if they have any ideas.”

  I rang Lloyd who said that he was currently in the area and would be able to drop in and see us some time after twelve. I told Adrian that there were a few items of work I had to attend to, but he was welcome to wait around and meet the police with me although I had told no one of his hacking escapade and the consequences, which I was increasingly sure were at least partially responsible for what was happening. There did however seem to be an element of the problem linked to the forthcoming stock market flotation, but I could not understand why, and even less could I understand how there could be a link between that and Adrian.

  “Do you have a computer I can use while I wait?” asked Adrian.

  “Use mine on the desk there, I will be gone for the next hour or so.”

  Later I returned to the office to find that Lloyd and Jason had turned up and were both sitting chatting to Adrian. They had both managed to scrounge some coffee.

  “I see you have met my brother Adrian, and Jason my personal security man. Has any one updated you with events?” I asked.

  “No, they haven't but have you heard about Jason’s happenings this morning?” Lloyd nodded at Jason who went on to describe the attack on him that morning.

  “Wow, I said, this is really getting serious. I bet that the big guy whose arm you broke is the same guy who attacked me in the lane that night. The London based hard man that I identified from your photos,” I said turning towards Lloyd.

  “Why are you here?” said Lloyd turning to Adrian. “Are you somehow involved or are you just visiting?”

  Adrian hesitated, and I interrupted to say that Adrian was just visiting me. Lloyd looked quizzically at me over the top of his spectacles as if not totally convinced.

  “I want to call my boss and br ing her up to date can I use a ‘phone?”

  “You can use the office next door, it's empty at the moment.” Lloyd left the room.

  “I turned to Jason, are you OK?”

  Before he could reply Alec walked in to the room. 'Are you guys OK? I hear that it has been an eventful morning. I introduced him to Adrian whom he had not seen since he was a child, and quickly explained what had been going on, but again no mention of Adrian’s involvement. I was going to have to come clean with Alec sooner or later; he and or his family could be in danger so I owed him the truth. Alec had to leave for another meeting but he invited Adrian and I to dinner at his place. Lisa was still away, so he would be cooking some steaks on the barbecue, if the rain held off. By definition the invitation had to be open to our respective security personnel. “As he left Alec looked at me and said “I have had a call from Lucy Pageant, that meeting with Dalrymple has firmed up for Monday lunch time, don't forget.”

  Jason also left leaving Adrian and I to mull over the current situation. Lloyd walked back in to the room fresh from a conversation with his boss, Chief Superintendent Fleet, and looked at Adrian and me. “Look I don't think you are telling us the whole story,” he said. “Inspector Naismith is Special Branch and there has to be a reason for them to be interested in you. His boss, Dawson has talked to my boss and while he has not provided details he has confirmed their interest. Dawson is pretty high up in the Branch, so his interests are not normally trivial. What are you not telling
me? Are you really involved and not just a bystander?” he said looking at Adrian.

  Adrian denied it but Lloyd did not look convinced. “Well, I would not mess around with the Branch if I were you. Dawson has some real pull and could make life very unpleasant for you both. My boss would like you both to come in to the station and see her, I will call you and set up a time when I know when she is free.” I also want to talk to your Mr Jason Walgrave. The traffic cameras on the motorway picked up his altercation this morning. It appears your Mr Walgrave can handle himself.” With that he left.

  After a brief silence Adrian said, “I have some thing else.”

  “Not another confession I hope!”

  “No. I was doing some research earlier using your computer and I think I might have come up with something interesting. I did not realise it until Alec mentioned the name Dalrymple. I was doing some research in to Mendip Finance, you said you had done some, but I think I got quite a bit further than you.”

  I squirmed, “legally I hope?”

  “As you know, the ownership structure of Mendip Finance is extremely complex and convoluted, hiding behind various shells and off shore barriers. Ultimately a substantial proportion, if not all of the beneficial ownership, is connected to a guy called Asimov.”

  “That's the name the police came up with when following Plavsic but could prove no actual connection.”

  “Maybe,” said Adrian, “but what is more interesting perhaps, is that when I delved in to Asimov’s interests, and the tentacles are also long and tenuous, I came up with the name Dalrymple.”

  “Yes, our chairman has been doing some research on Mendip and has come up with the same information.”

  We both sat there in silence for a few moments.

  “This is crazy I said. Are we saying that Dalrymple and Mendip are part of a plot to stop us floating the business? Why? And what has this to do with you. The link of your video hacking seems a great coincidence.”

  “My involvement could just be a coincidence,” said Adrian. “Coincidences do happen. Maybe they, whoever 'they' are, think that it gives them more leverage with you.”

  “Maybe, but I am not convinced. By the way what have you done with the copy of that video footage? Is it safe, I hope you are not carrying it around?”

  “No, of course not. Not only is it safe, if anything happens to me I have arranged for it to go viral on the Internet. I thought that would give me some bargaining power if it is needed.”

  “Yes, OK,” I said uncertainly, “but whatever happens make sure it is not published inadvertently. If it did get out you would lose that bargaining power and you never know what might happen then. Perhaps you should also let me know where a copy is in case I need to be able to use it?”

  “OK,” said Adrian. “If you think so, I was just trying to avoid getting you in even deeper.”

  “Bit late for that,” I said.

  Alec stuck his head around the door. “Come on Lisa has the food ready and is chasing to know when we will get there.”

  “I thought she was in Manchester?”

  “She was, but she had to come back for a day to get a briefing connected to the case she is on.”

  “Ok, we are coming.”

  We spent the evening with Alec and Lisa. Before dinner I apologised to Lisa and said that I needed to spend a few minutes with Alec on some business so we disappeared in to his study. I had decided to tell him about Adrian’s situation. I did not show him the material that Adrian had downloaded or whom it had identified, I merely described it to him. Telling him the detailed identity of the people in the video would serve no purpose and could only endanger him further.

  “So as you see it is very difficult and I am not sure what is the best way forward. Jason disabled their thugs but they will come again until the issue is resolved and there is also a possible link with Dalrymple.”

  Alec sat quietly and listened, obviously shocked by what I was telling him, but quiet all the same. Eventually he said. “Look, I need some time to absorb this, but what strikes me straight away is that we are out of our league here, and we need to get some heavyweights on side to help. The only ones I can think of are the Bristol police, Fleet and Lloyd, although I am not sure how much they will really be able to help if it comes to the crunch. I think it is obvious that Adrian needs to be protected, they are obviously searching for him.”

  “Let's talk again in the office in the morning, but my gut feeling is that you are right and the three of us should go and see Fleet tomorrow and confess. Ron Cheadle gave me the name of his partner who is a criminal lawyer and also has experience of these issues. I could call him and find out if he would be available to accompany us?”

  “Good idea, do that.” Let's go back in and join the rest, I have some steaks to cook!”

  Lisa looked daggers at me as we walked back in to the main living room, but Alec bounced over, gave her a peck on the cheek and demanded to know where the steaks were. He was planning to cook them on the barbecue out on the deck.

  The tensions soon dissipated, and the rest of the evening was relaxed with no further discussion of business. Alec was cooking marinated filet steak. Two types of marinade, a spicy Indonesian style peanut marinade, and a plain garlic and mustard marinade. Served with salads and a baked potato with a mayonnaise garnish, the steaks were spectacula r, and a glorious Italian red wine to accompany them finished it all off well.

  The woman PC was present and Alec made sure to include her and our two security personnel, Jason and Sue, in the evening. I had already discovered that Jason could be pleasant company and Sue proved equally engaging once she relaxed.

  At about 11pm I made a move to go and Jason got up as well.

  “See you in the office in the morning Alec?”

  “Yes, OK,” said Alec.

  Giving Lisa a hug and a thank you for the meal, we left for the lift down to the car park to pick up the Range Rover.

  Arriving home it was good to see that we had no welcoming party and the house looked undisturbed. I went straight to bed.

  During breakfast the next morning, Lloyd called and asked us to come in at 10am to see him and Fleet. “Can we make it a bit later?” I said, “Alec Bell would like to join us and I would also like to bring a lawyer if I can.”

  “You think you need a lawyer do you?” said Lloyd, sounding surprised.

  “We have a few things to tell you and I think it only best to be prepared, can I call you back?”

  “Fine” he said, “but make it quick please.”

  I called Ron Cheadle in his office and asked him if he could make the introductions to his partner Dave Withers. We were due to have another session with police today.

  “I took the liberty of talking to Dave after we last met so he is partly up to speed. Let me check if he is in.” there was a click on the line as he put me on hold.

  Shortly there was a broad Yorkshire voice on the ‘‘‘phone. “ Mr Lever, my name is Dave Withers, Ron has been telling me something about you. What is happening?” I then went on to explain that we were planning to attend a police interview today with Fleet and Lloyd and asked if he could be available to attend. “Well I am in court this morning but the afternoon is free. You are based near the harbour I believe. Why don't I come in to your office so you can brief me before going down to College Green? If you agree, I will call Chief Superintendent Fleet and check that is convenient. I know her quite well.”

  “OK,” I said. See you about lunchtime at our office.

  Out of courtesy I called Lloyd and explained what was happening. “Dave Withers,” he said, “pulling out the big guns aren't you? I will find out from the Chief Super what she agrees.”

  Adrian said he had to go to his girlfriend ’ s and get some clean clothes and that he would come down to my office later in the morning.

  In the office, I talked to Alec and explained what I had set up.

  “I will have to shuffle a few things round from this afternoon but I will make
it. Why don't you organise some sandwiches in for lunch so we can discuss what we do while we eat. I assume Adrian will be there?”

  “Yes, he is coming in later this morning, the problem is how much he should admit to, thereby incriminating himself. These days there is a danger he could be extradited to the US!”

  “Withers should be able to advise on that. Let's play it by ear.”

  I then sat down in front of my computer to start dealing with my email. With everything that was going on I had got seriously behind with my mail, more than 150+ unread. However there would not be anything too urgent, as my PA June wou ld have drawn my attention to it if she couldn't deal with it.

  She however did remind me that I was committed to giving a lecture next week to some software students at Bristol Uni. Had I prepared anything? It was customary to provide a hard copy of such talks so I couldn't just wing it. The subject was 'The Planning of Software Development.” With the office door closed, I got down to roughing something out with indications of schematics needed and by the time lunchtime had come I was able to email something to June that she could convert in to PowerPoint with suitable suggested graphics. June was a wiz on PowerPoint so I was confident that the draft that would come back would be good and only my content would require tweaking.

  Lunchtime came and June said that she had organised sandwiches in the boardroom and that Mr Withers was on his way up there.

  “Please tell Alec, have you heard anything from my brother Adrian?”

  “No, I did not know you were expecting him.”

  “Well, show him up to the boardroom when he arrives please?”

  The boardroom was fortunate to have a large picture window at one end, and the view out of the window was a stunning view up the Clifton Go rge, a marvellous view of the Suspension Bridge spanning the gorge. Alec always reckoned that it was this view that sold the building to me when we first moved here a few years ago. I must admit I am a fan of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the designer of the bridge and many other engineering feats of Victorian England, and I find this view inspirational.